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Electric Embedder

I have an electric embedder that appears to have stopped working. I opened the box and tested the transformer and got 0V across the terminals. I went out and purchased a new 16V doorbell transformer from Menards: http://www.menards.com/main/electric...293-c-6464.htm

I installed this and hooked back up the embedding tool, tried it out, but I couldn't get the wire to warm up to embed into the wax. I tested between the 2 terminals and I am getting current, so that shouldn't be the problem. Does anyone have any ideas?

Re: Electric Embedder

Yes, the transformer you linked to above produces 10 watts, or about .625 amps at 16 volts. The transformer that Kelley sells for this purpose produces 2 amps. So, you need more current to heat the wire.

Any similar Class 2 transformer that produces 2 amps should work. However, make sure it is a transformer. Don't get fooled by a modern power supply encased in plastic that may not be
a true transformer.

Re: Electric Embedder

Originally Posted by honeybeebee

isn't "angry hippie " an oxymoron ?

Yes - my wife was mad at me one time and said "you're the angriest hippie I know. The name stuck. We now call our place "Angry Hippie Farms". We get lots of comments about the name and it causes it to be memorable.

Re: Electric Embedder

I use a car battery charger for wire embedding. It is better than a battery because it is current-limited whereas a battery can put out almost infinite current. Get one in the range of 1.5 to 2 amps - looks like Walmart has them for around 20 bucks. Lower amperages can be used if embedding one or two wires at a time instead of all four. I usually do one wire at a time when using cross-wired foundation, as the cross wires create alternate conductive paths when doing multiple wires at once.

Re: Electric Embedder

For those of you wiring frames, there are 4 holes in a deep frame for wires. Do you need all 4? I have always done all 4, but am being told I need to loosen up a little and only do the 2 in the middle. That would be a lot faster. Has anyone done that and regretted it?

Re: Electric Embedder

Depends on what you're doing with the frame. Extracting a deep, particularly in a tangential extractor, puts immense stress on the comb. Four wires with wired foundation is probably best. On the other hand if the frames are for brood chamber use only two wires will be fine. I have a few unwired, foundationless frames (from rubber-banding comb into frames during cutouts), and while I have to be a bit more careful about holding these sideways they hold up fine in the hive.

I still use all four wires though. The main benefit (particularly if using unwired foundation) is that it prevents the foundation from warping if the frames are stored before being used.